Draft appliance and the like



March 8, 1932. c. E. CARPENTER 1,848,316

DRAE'L APPLIANCE AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1afvazz/vr:

(Z d'aqvezrfer 'fMarch 8, 1932. c. E. CARPENTER DRAFT APPLIANCE AND THELIKE Filed Sept. 7,1928 2 sheeis-sheet' 2 llllllllllllllllll CHARLESCARPENTER, onlcHIcAGo, ILLINoIs ment. .This' will also ,assistinbringing about a rapid dissipationof the energyiofthe rel takingPatented Mar. 1932 P TENT oFFicE -y I 7 DRAFT APPLIANCE AND THE LIKE I 1Application filedSeptember I 'inventionhasfto do certain improvements indraft rigging for railway cars and the likel The invention has to dowith the'constructiknl of the draft rigging as a whole; butiit hasreferenceparticularlyto' improvements in the means for bufing and up therecoil and shock incidentthere- The invention has reference, among otherthings, to improvements in the friction cre- -ating devices whereby theenergy of the recoil is dissipated in the form of friction, withconsequent generation of heat. This heat is, 'of course, promptlydissipated into the surrou'ndingparts and the atmosphere;

One object of the invention is to proyide a friction device which willbe very efi'ective in its functionfand which willbe capable of promptlydissipating a largeamount ofenergy within a relatively smallspace.

In connection with the foregolng, a further object is" toprovideanarrangement whereby the friction will be steadily in- I creasedas the amount of movement "of the coupler increases, 1 thereby producingan 1ncreased resistance to further coupler movecoil.

still further eliminating unnecessary shock andproy ding amore'satisfactory operation.

' Anotherobjectof the invention is to provide' a draftriggingconstruction of simple I forn and one which. can be-manufacturedappear from detailedTdescriptioni'oiffihe "same, which consists in thefeatures of fconsir-notion *andcombination's of partsfhereim afterdescribed and claimed; i .In'the',drawings,]"

wtainof the moving parts of the A further object of the invention is topro 'vide an arrangement such that a Very smooth and efi'ectiveoperation will be insured, thus 7, 1928; Serial N70. 731M364 frame and vshown in'section; p I V Fig. 2 shows a cross section substantiallyon'the line 22 of Fig.1, looking in the direction; of the arrows, thecoupler being shown in elevation; c P p 4 7 Fig.3 shows ca fragmentaryside elevat-ion on the line 3+3 'of'Fig. '1, looking invtheldirection ofthe arrows; Figs. 4, 5, 6,7, Sand 9 .menmry, side elevations similar tothat of A Fig. 3, but'illustra ting modified types ofJc'onstruction;and, o Fig. '10 shows a fragmentary horizontal sectiontlirouglnstillanother modified form'c5 f I ofconstruction in which useis made of a friction block of spherical, segmental form;

Referring first to Figs. .1 and 2, I haveillustrated the draft riggingas being incorporated between a pair of frame side-bars :12

and 13 -oflthe car frame; These frame bars are of vthe usualconstruction with the excep ftionthat they are slotted to accommodatecer- Y r I draft rigging, as will'be presently explained. I I 3 Theframe bars 12 and 13'are preferably boxed by top and bottom plates '14and 15 throughout their, length in that portion wherein the draftrigging is accommodated. In this Way the frame bars 12 and 13, togeth erwith the cover plates 14 and '15, establish ,a longitudinally extending,rectangular chamber Within which the draft riggingis 'gaccommodate'd.

n'er or rear end by-a fixedblock 16 preferably 1n the form of a casting'having'an encircling flange 17 whiclrseat's within the housing 7aforesaid. This flangeis riveted to the plates l2'andil3 and also to thecover-plates ld'and" 90,

15. by the rivets '18, sox that it establishes fa. very rigid abutment.f 1 7 The other endofthis-housing is partially .enclosedby a casting-119 which has the inner end wall 20 and the encircling flange.;21'.'95,

This. casting; preferably projects j somewhat 7 4 -Z f beyond the endoftheicar, frame, whereitis Q a Fig. lshows-a'horizontal planvlewofa draftrigging embodying the featuresfof-the 'present.inyentionftheside barsfof the car provided with aflangef22.

ertain other structures being show other frag '60 The foregoing chamberis closed at its in- :The end wall 20 ofthe casting: IQ'I esta b:lishes'an abutment at that "end of the hous ing wherein the draftrigging is accommodated. This abutment is provided with an opening 23 ofsufiicient size to accommodate the stem 24 of the coupling 25, which conling is of any convenient form, such as a wouldv them a space for theaccommodation of the stem 24. Said stem is connected to the lugs 27 and28 by the pin 29, the arrangement being such as to allow for thenecessary amount of rocking movement of the coupler. while at 1 the pin40 also travels back and forth with 0f the servi I the friction plates34 and (or against the side plates 12 and 13 in case the plates 34 and35 are integral with the side plates 32 and 33).

the sametime communicating the push and pull forces to the yoke 26.

.The yoke 26 surrounds a box which includes a (pair of end walls 30 and31 and a pair of si e plates 32 and 33. The side plates are set betweenthe edge portions of the end walls and serve to keep them properlyspaced apart.

The side plates 32 and 33 are provided with friction face fianges34 and35 which press against the inner faces of the side plates 12 "and 13.Furthermore, these side plates 32 and 33 are free to move towardsandfrom each other a slight amount (being disconnected from the endplates 30 and 31).

There are transversely extending springs 36, 87,38 and 39 between theopposite corners side plates 32 and 33, said springs to press said sideplates firmly against Ordinaril the'friction plates 34 and 35 will beformed integrally with the side plates 32 and 33 and will traveltherewith, so that the friction will be created between the plates 34imd 35 and the plates 12 and 13, respective- There is a cross pin 40 thecentral portion of which extends across the box already referred to, andthe end portions of this pin extend through holes in the side plates 32and 33 (and the friction plates 34 and 35). These holes are just ofsuflicient size to accommo- .date the pin, so that as the box moves backand forth under the impulse of the yoke 26 jeet through slots in theframe-bar plates 12 and 13 so that the pin may move back and forth thenecessary distance with respect to the frame of the car itself. The endportions of these slots are defined by the dotted lines 43, 44, and 46(see Fig. 1).

Mounted onthe projecting ends '41 and 42 ofthis pin are the wedge blocks47 and 48,

respectively. In the constructionillustrated The end portions 41 and 42of this pin proin Figs. 1, 2 and 3, these wedge blocks are provided withtapered ends.

The wedge blocks 47 and 48 work within tapered sockets of the abutmentblocks 49 and 50, said abutment blocks being rigidly secured to theoutside faces of theframe bars 12 and 13. These abutment blocks areprovided with central friction socket receptacles within which theblocks 47 and 48 are accommodated, said receptacles being provided withthecompanion tapering friction surfaces 51 and 52, as best shown in Fig.3.

The blocks 49 and are also centrally slotted to accommodate the endportions of the pin 40 so as to allow for the necessary backand forthmovement thereof. The blocks 47 and 48 are provided with holes of onlysufficient size to accommodate the end portions of the pin, so thatthese blocks are compelledto travel back and forth with the pin. I V

7 Due to the above construction, it follows that as the yoke is movedback and forth, it carries with it the plates 32 and 33, and these inturn carry the pin 40 on which are mounted the blocks 47 and 48.Consequently the blocks 47 and 48 are compelled to ride on the taperedsurfaces of the blocks '49 and 50. The blocks 47 and 48 have asuflicient bearing on the pin 50 to prevent said blocks from tilting,andbiting into and binding on the The end portions 41 and 42 of the pin40 carry the end blocks 53 and 54, and the compression springs 55 and 56are placed on the pin between the blocks 47 and 48 and the" ment a verylarge amount of friction will be generated, resulting in a tendency tocheck the rebound and also to waste the energy of the recoil in the formof heat. This friction is entirely supplemental to the friction betweenthe box and the side plates 12 and 13,*since that friction is dependentupon the springs 36, 37, 38 and39.

The pin 40 ispreferably provided with shoulders 57 and 58 which bearagainst the which the plates 32 and 33 may come to rest under theinfluence of the springs 55 and 56.

The box is normally restored to its central 1 springs 59 (preferablyfour in number) are placed between the box end-'wall30 and the abutment20; and the springs 60' (preferably four in number) are placed betweenthe box end-wall 31 and the abutment 16. Preferably also said end wallsand abutments are, provided with lugs or central pins by means insidefaces of the plates 32 and 33. These :shoulders thus'serve as abutmentsagainst a of which the springsare kept "in proper ,alignmentjand held inplace. I

' These groups of-springsa59 and 60 preferably of suflicient strengthandcharacterlsticsltotake up. the full amount. of drawyokeand box to a deadstandstill except under ":aexceptional conditions. Furthermore,

inasmuch as these'two groups of. springs Workin opposition to eachother, they will necessarily tend to center thebox and the yoke when theforces of draft are relaxed.

I It Wlllb seen from the foregoing that I have provided two groups offriction devices for taking up and dissipating theforces of the recoil;one groupof said devices compris ing friction devices located inside ofthe hous- ,ing, andthe other grouppof'said devices comconstructions ofthe friction outside of the housing.

prising friction devices located outside of the.

companion abutment blocks 62 and 63, the latter being slidable withinU-shaped brackets64: and 65, respectively. Springs 66 tend to forcetheblocks 62 and'63 against the diamondsshaped block 61, so that thebackand forth movements of thedraw bar must be accommodated and '63.

by a separation of the blocks 62 It Will be noted that this constructiontends [to restore the draft devices to ,gtheir central positionirrespective of the groups of springs 59 and 60; and it will also benoted that for this reason the normal draft may to-some extent, or else66. c

The construction. shown in Fig.5 is similar tolthat of Fig. 4, with theexception that the block ,61 has been niodifi'edin forminto an ellipsoid67, and the blocks 62 and 63"l1ZLV6 also been modified; inform, asshown, at 68 and 69, respectivelyi p v In the construction of Fig. 6 theblock 67 a has been still further modified to provide end .In'theconstruction. of-Fig7 (lugs or projections 70 and 71 and correspondingmodification of the shapes of theblocks 72 and 7 3 has also been made.

the central 7 block has been still further modified and elongated toestablish wave friction surfaces on .top and bottom, as shoWnin thehlock'fll, and

the blocks 72 and 7 3 have been correspondingly modified, as shownat 75and 76.

The 7 construction of Fig. .8 is similar to that of Fig .'7 with theexception that the ends of the blocks 74 are engaged by compressionsprings1-77 and 78 which serve to. ass1st:1n

taking up the forces of draft, andsaid springs lsoserve to centerthepartsin'the restoring movement.

are

Wholly, be taken up by the springs "extending. parallel frame. bars, oftransverse I "In the construction ofFi .,9;the block 74 hasbeenprovidedwith end fingers 79 and 80, the bottom faces ofwhichareWedge-shaped; and-"companion Wedge fingers 80 and 81 are pivotedto the frame bar at the points 82 and 83, respectively.- Springs'84 and85 press the fingers 80 and 81-.against the fingers "7 9 and 80, so thatthe tendencyis to restore the draft mechanism to its central positionand at the sametlme toimpose an additional amountof friction mechanisminto'themovements ofthe device. V I 1 In themodified.construction of Fig.. 10

there isprovide'd a socket block 86 on the framebar, said socket blockbeing provided" Witha concave sphericalform socketto receive. aspherical block 87 which is mounted "on the end portion of the 13111.40.Saidrblock .87 is socketed-Ias shown at 88, so that as the pin travelsback and forth in the slot 89. the

7 block 87 may rock in the socket of the block 86. A spring 90 mountedon the end portion of the pinAO forcesthe' block 87 firmlyinto thesocket of the block 86 soas to create a desired, amount of friction atthis point.

I If, desired, the friction surfacesbetween the plates 32 and88 and theframe bars 12 and13 may be longitudinally corrugated so (as toincreasethe amount of friction and .re-

.slstance against back and forth-movement without: actually preventingsuch movement. While I have herein-shown and described-v only certainembodiments of the features of nypresent invention, still I do notintend to limit myself thereto except as I'may do soin the claims. c v

'Iclaim: .Y r

1. Thecombination With. the underframing I of acarincluding the centrallongitudinallyabutments securedto andextending between said frame bars.and serving to define the front and i'earendsof a draft device housing,a box slidably mounted Within said housin'gPfor back and forth movementtherein, said box including movable side walls in proximity to the innerfacesof the frame bars,

of said box, a transverse. pin extending through the box and'throughsaid slots to the outsides of the frame bars,.wedge blockssecured to the outsides of the frame bars at theisides ofcsaid slots--com anion WGCl G I blocks on the end portions of-said pin, springsserving to. maintain. the .pin, Wedge blocks in firm engagement withgtheside bar Wedge blocks, springs betweenthe end'sof the box and theabutments aforesaid tending to recstorethe box to the central, position,and .a suitable couple! in connection With the box and transmitting;push I and pull forces directly thereto,- substantially-as described.

2. The combination with the underfrainin' of a car including the centrallongitudina y-extending parallel frame bars, of transverse abutmentssecured to and extending between said frame bars andserving to definethe front and rear ends of a draft device housing, a box slidablymounted within said housing and between said abutments, springs betweenthe ends of the box and the abutments tending to restore the box to thecentral position, the frame bars being longitudinally slotted atpositions opposite to the box, a transverse pin extending through thebox and through said slots, wedge blocks secured to the outside faces ofthe frame bars adjacent to said slots, companion wedgeblocks von theprojecting ends of the pin, spring means for maintaining said wedgeblocks in eo-operative engagement with each other, a coupler,and asuitable connection between said coupler and the box, substantially asdescribed. a v

3. The combination with the underframing of a car including the centrallongitudinally-extending parallel frame bars, of transverse abutmentssecured to and extendmg between said frame bars and serving to definethe front and rear ends of a draft device housing, amember slidablymounted within said housing between said abutments, springs between theends of said member and the adjacent abutments, the frame bars beinglongtudinally slotted adjacent to the central position of said member, atransverse pin carried by said member and extending through said slots,wedge blocks in conjunction with the outside faces of the frame bars adacent to the positions of said slots, other wedge blocks, connectionsbetween the central portions of said wedge blocks and the projectingends of "the pin, spring means for maintaining sa d wedge blocks inco-operative relationship with each other, a suitable coupling, andanoperative connection between said coupling and the slidably mountedmember within the housing, substantially as described.

4. The combination with the underframlng of a car including the centrallongitudinallyextending parallel frame bars, of transverse abutmentssecured to and extending between said frame bars and serving to definethe front and rear ends of a draft device housing, a box slidablymounted within said housing, said box including side plates movabletowards theinner faces of the frame bars, spring means within the boxtending to force said side plates against the frame bars, spring meansbetween the ends of the box and the abutments tending to restore the boxto the central position, there being longitudinally extending slots inthe frame bars opposite to the position of the box, a transverse pinextending through the box and through the slots and projecting to theoutside of the frame bars, co-operative friction wedge devices on theoutsidefaces of the frame'bars and the ends of the pin, and spring meansfor retaining said blocks in co-operative relationship with each other,substantially as described.

5. The combination with the under framing of a car including the centrallongitudinally-extending parallel frame bars, of transverse abutmentssecured to and extending between said frame bars and serving to definethe front and rear ends of a draft de-' vlce housing, a coupler, amember within said housingconnected to said coupler and travelingtherewith, springs between the ends of ing companion friction surfacesnon-parallel a to the direction of movement, and spring means forretaining said non-parallelsurface friction plates in frictionalcontact, whereby the amount of frictional engagement of said surfaceswith each other increases with the amount of movement, substantially asdescribed. I

6. The combination with the underframing of a car, includinglongitudinallyextending parallel frame bars, of a coupler,

a housing connected to and travelling with sa d coupler, frictionsurfaces stationary with respect to the inner faces of the frame bars,friction devices carried by the housing and travelling therewith and infrictional contact with said stationary friction surfaces, all of saidfriction surfaces being substantially plane and lying in a directionparallel to the direction of buffing movement of the couplerand-housing, spring means tending to maintain said housing frictiondevices in frictional contact with the stationary friction surfaces witha constant amount of force during the bufiing movements, other frictiondevices carried by the housing and movable towards and from the axis ofmovement of the coupler and housing, other friction devices and surfacesthereon stationary with respect to the outer faces of the frame bars,and engaged by the friction devices carried by the housing and lastnamed, said last named friction devices having friction surfaces whichare non-parallel to the direction of movement of the coupler andhousing, and spring means for forcing the said friction devicestogether, whereby as the coupler and housing move duringthe buffingmovement said spring'means are placed under added spring force tothereby increase the friction a1 engagement existing between saidfriction devices, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the underframing of a car, includinglongitudinally-extend ing parallel frame bars, of a'coupler, two-sets Iof friction surfaces stationary with respect 7 to the frame bars, one ofsaid friction surface sets being'parallel to the direction of buliingmovement of the coupler, and the other set of said surfaces beingnon-parallel to the direction of buffing movement of the coupler, a setof friction devices connected to and I moving with the coupler and inengagement I with the friction surfaces which are parallel to thedirection of buffing movement of the coupler, spring means forplacingand main- 7 taming sai friction devices in engagement with said frict onsurfaces, another set of friction. devices connected to and moving withthe coupler and in engagement with the friction surfaces which arenon-parallel to the direction of buffing movement of the couler ands rinmeans for lacin and maintaining said friction devices in engagement rwith said friction surfaces, whereby during the buiiing movement-of thecoupler the first movements of the coupler, said means comprising twosets of stationary friction sur-, faces connected to the car frame, oneof said sets of surfaces being parallel to the direc-,

'tion of bufling movement,and theother set of said surfaces beingnon-parallel to the direction of bufling movement and being spaced avariable distance from each other measured in the direction of buffingmovement, fric-' tion devices connected to and moving with the couplerand in engagement with said stationary friction surfaces, and springmeans for maintaining the friction devices in such engagement vwith thefriction surfaces, whereby during the buffing movement of'the namedfriction devicesand friction surfaces are underconstant spring force and'frictional engagement, and whereby during the buffing movement of thecoupler the second named friction devices andgfriction surfaces andunder a varlable amount of frlctional engagement to thereby ensure avariable amount. of total frictional engagement as the coupler movesduring the bufiing action, substantially as described. I

8. The combination with the underframing of a car, includinglongitudinally extending frame bars, of a coupler, two sets offrictionsurfaces stationary with respect to the frame bars, one of saidfrictionsurface of said surfaces being non-parallel to the direction ofbuffing movement of the coupler,

said non-parallel surfaces being a variable distance from each othermeasured in the direction of bufiing movement of the coupler, frictiondevices connected to and moving with the coupler and in engagement withthe stationary friction surfaces aforesaid, and

vices into engagement with the stationary friction surfaces, wherebyduring buffing movement of the coupler the friction devices which engagethe parallel friction surfaces are under a constant amount of frictionalengagement therewith, and whereby during said bufiing movement of thecoupler the friction'devices which engage the nonparallel frictionsurfaces are under a variable amount of frictional engagement therewith,substantially as described.

9. The combination with a car frame and the coupler therefor,of meansforbuffing the sets being parallel to the direction of bufing, movementof the coupler, and the vother set i coupler the parallel frictionsurfaces and the friction devices inengagement therewith are 1 springmeans for forcingthe friction de-

